Divorced parent guilt is real, y'all. This can easily lead to unstructured free-for-all homes with limitless screen time, questionable nutritional standards, and a house void of rules. Upon remarriage, structure is often introduced with new routines, meal plans, and stepparent discipline. When stepmom enters the scene, she begins to pick up any perceived slack. She has read up on best ... Read the Post
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To the Stepmom Who Worries her Family Deserves Better
There are many stepmom worries that although common, feel incredibly isolating. When I first start coaching a stepmom, I'll often ask her what her biggest fear is. A common concern I hear is, "I worry I'm not good enough and that my partner and family deserve someone better equipped for this role than I am." Stepparenting can be a beatdown. Every marriage requires hard work, but add in the ... Read the Post
Are they bad, or am I just angry?
The deepest feeling I have had as a stepmom is frustration. Other feelings attached to frustration can be anger, sadness, anxiety, and depression. The tug-of-war that comes with trying to co-parent can easily bring out these emotions. This is normal, but you must be able to manage your weariness so that it is not projected onto the children. It is so important not to let your aggravation for ... Read the Post
All Good Things Must Come to An End
When I became a full-time custodial stepmom back in 2015, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. However, I was sure of one thing: I never wanted my stepchildren to feel like I was taking their father away from them. I made it clear to my now-husband that I viewed him as a package deal, and the kids were part of that package. Little did I know how much things would change in four short ... Read the Post
3 Fallacies about the Perfect Stepfamily
I’m an achiever and a recovering perfectionist, and I’ve found those qualities to be severely evident in my stepparenting journey. I’ve sought to prove my value as a life partner, to establish credibility as a trustworthy co-parent, and to earn my stepdaughter’s trust and admiration. I wanted to hit that next mark to slide up the scale just a little bit closer to the perfect stepmom with the ... Read the Post